This may seem like a stupid question...but can someone answer it for me? Besides someone applying to another school ED, and being forced to withdraw all other applications, why do applicants do this? Especially so early on in in the cycle?

Jolly_J88 wrote:This may seem like a stupid question...but can someone answer it for me? Besides someone applying to another school ED, and being forced to withdraw all other applications, why do applicants do this? Especially so early on in in the cycle?

The quicker you withdraw, the quicker other students who are still waiting will be able to hear.

Careful not to over do it. For example, don't necessarily withdraw from Cornell when you get into NYU or Columbia. Unless you got a full ride to NYU/Columbia Cornell might offer a better scholarship package, which might make it worthwhile to attend.

Same goes for placements on the waitlist at higher ranked schools. They actually do use the waitlist later in the cycle, so if you might actually want to go there do what it takes to stay on the waitlist. Some schools even offer scholarships to waitlist admits.